Spindle motor and storage disk drive

ABSTRACT

In a motor, a stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a female screw portion recessed axially downward from an upper end thereof. An upper end of the single continuous monolithic member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion includes an upper end annular surface arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis. An outside diameter of the upper end annular surface is greater than a diameter of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electric motor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Motors including a bearing mechanism using fluid dynamic pressure have often been used in storage disk drives. A spindle motor disclosed in JP-A 2009-136143 includes a fixed shaft, an annular bearing component, a rotor component, and an annular cover. The bearing component is arranged on an upper end portion of the fixed shaft. The bearing component is integrally provided with the fixed shaft. The rotor component is arranged radially outward of the fixed shaft. The annular cover is arranged above the bearing component. A radially outer end portion of the annular cover is adhered to an upper end portion of the rotor component. An outer circumferential surface of the bearing component is arranged opposite an inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the rotor component. A seal gap is defined between the outer circumferential surface of the bearing component and the inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the rotor component. The seal gap is covered by the annular cover. Paragraph 0043 of JP-A 2009-136143 states: “The annular cover 330 defines a labyrinth seal 348 arranged to additionally seal the seal gap 332 together with an upper end surface of the bearing component 318.” In some motors, a cap member is arranged in a rotating portion to cover a seal gap. The motor described in JP-A 2009-136143 is an example of one of these motors. In such a motor, there is a gap between the cap member and a component of a stationary portion which defines the seal gap, and this gap may permit an evaporated lubricating oil to pass therethrough to an outside of the motor. Moreover, an attempt to ensure sufficient rigidity of the cap member by increasing the thickness of the cap member leads to a failure to reduce the overall thickness of the motor. Moreover, a reduction in the thickness of the cap member may result in a reduction in the precision with which the cap member is shaped, and may lead to a contact of the cap member with the stationary portion during rotation of the motor.

In the motor described in JP-A 2009-136143, a housing cover 50 is fixed together with a shaft 12. In this case, it is difficult to securely fix the housing cover 50 to the shaft 12, and reliability of the spindle motor may decrease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A spindle motor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary portion including a stator, and a rotating portion including a rotor magnet, and rotatably supported by the stationary portion through a lubricating oil.

The stationary portion preferably includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion.

An outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to have a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therebetween. A lower surface of the upper thrust portion and an upper surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to together define a thrust gap therebetween.

The shaft portion preferably includes, for example, a female screw portion recessed downward from an upper end thereof.

An upper end of the member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion includes an upper end annular surface arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis.

An outside diameter of the upper end annular surface is greater than a diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion.

A motor according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary portion including a stator and a rotating portion including a rotor magnet, the rotating portion being rotatably supported by the stationary portion through a lubricating oil.

The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion.

An outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to have a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therebetween. A lower surface of the upper thrust portion and an upper surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to together define a thrust gap therebetween.

The shaft portion preferably includes, for example, a female screw portion recessed downward from an upper end thereof, the female screw portion preferably including a pilot hole.

The single continuous monolithic member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion is preferably manufactured from a material shaped by, for example, a forging process, the material including the pilot hole of the female screw portion.

The present invention is applicable to a spindle motor including a shaft portion to which an upper plate member is fixed through a screw, and enables the upper plate member to be securely fixed to the shaft portion. However, it should also be noted that the preferred embodiments of the present invention could also be used in any other suitable types of motors.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a storage disk drive according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a motor according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bearing mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve portion according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a lower thrust portion according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an inner tubular portion of a bearing mechanism according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a bearing mechanism in a motor according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a motor according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a bearing mechanism according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a seal cap according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the seal cap according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a seal cap according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an upper hub tubular portion according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an upper hub tubular portion according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a storage disk drive according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a seal cap according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a seal cap according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a seal cap according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a seal cap according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of a shaft portion and an upper thrust portion according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a lower thrust portion according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a motor according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is assumed herein that an upper side and a lower side in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a central axis of a motor are referred to as an “upper side” and a “lower side”, respectively. Note that the terms “vertical direction”, “upper side”, “lower side”, and the like as used herein are not meant to indicate relative positions or directions of different members or portions when actually installed in a device. Also note that directions parallel to or substantially parallel to the central axis are referred to by the term “axial direction”, “axial”, or “axially”, that directions radiating from the central axis are simply referred to by the term “radial direction”, “radial”, or “radially”, and that a circumferential direction about the central axis is simply referred to by the term “circumferential direction”, “circumferential”, or “circumferentially”.

First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a storage disk drive 1 including a spindle motor (hereinafter referred to simply as a “motor”) 12 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The storage disk drive 1 is preferably a so-called hard disk drive. The storage disk drive 1 preferably includes three disks 11, the motor 12, an access portion 13, and a housing 14, for example. The motor 12 is arranged to rotate the disks 11, in which information is stored. The access portion 13 is arranged to read and/or write information from or to the disks 11. In other words, the access portion 13 may be arranged to perform at least one of reading and writing of information from or to the disks 11.

The housing 14 preferably includes a lower housing member 141 and an upper plate member 142. The lower housing member 141 is in the shape of a box without a lid. The upper plate member 142 preferably has a flat shape, such as that of a plate. The disks 11, the motor 12, and the access portion 13 are arranged inside the lower housing member 141. The upper plate member 142 is fitted to the lower housing member 141 to define the housing 14. An interior space of the storage disk drive 1 is preferably a clean space with no dirt or dust, or only an extremely small amount of dirt or dust. In the present preferred embodiment, the interior space of the storage disk drive 1 is filled with air. Note that the interior space of the storage disk drive 1 may alternatively be filled with helium gas, hydrogen gas, a mixture of either or both of these gases and air, or any other desirable gas.

The three disks 11 are fixed to a rotor hub of the motor 12 through a clamper 151 and spacers 152 such that the disks 11 are arranged at regular intervals in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a central axis J1 of the motor 12. The access portion 13 includes six heads 131, six arms 132, and a head actuator mechanism 133. Each of the heads 131 is arranged in close proximity to one of the disks 11 to read and write information from or to the disk 11. Note that the head 131 may be arranged to perform at least one of the reading and writing of information from or to the disk 11. Each of the arms 132 is arranged to support an associated one of the heads 131. The head actuator mechanism 133 is arranged to move each of the arms 132 to move an associated one of the heads 131 relative to an associated one of the disks 11. The above mechanism enables the head 131 to make access to a desired location on the disk 11 with the head 131 being arranged in close proximity to the rotating disk 11. Note that the number of disks 11 is not limited to three, but may instead be one, two, or any other desirable number greater than three.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the motor 12. The motor 12 is an outer-rotor motor. The motor 12 includes a stationary portion 2, which is a stationary assembly, and a rotating portion 3, which is a rotating assembly. In FIG. 2, a fluid dynamic bearing mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a “bearing mechanism”) defined by a portion of the stationary portion 2 and a portion of the rotating portion 3 is indicated by reference numeral “4”. The rotating portion 3 is supported through a lubricating oil 45 such that the rotating portion 3 is rotatable about the central axis J1 of the motor 12 with respect to the stationary portion 2.

The stationary portion 2 preferably includes a base plate 21, i.e., a base portion, a stator 22, a shaft portion 41, an upper thrust portion 42, and a lower thrust portion 43. The base plate 21 and the lower housing member 141 illustrated in FIG. 1 are preferably integrally defined by a single monolithic member and define a portion of the housing 14. The stator 22 is fixed to a circumference of a cylindrical holder 211 defined in the base plate 21. A hole portion is defined inside the holder 211. Note that the base plate 21 and the lower housing member 141 may be defined by separate members. The shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are defined by a single monolithic member. The shaft portion 41 includes a female screw portion 412 recessed downward from an upper end thereof. Referring to FIG. 1, a central portion 143 of the upper plate member 142 is recessed axially downward. Hereinafter, the central portion 143 will be referred to as a “plate central portion 143”. A screw 161, for example, is preferably inserted into a through hole defined in the plate central portion 143 and the female screw portion 412 of the shaft portion 41, so that the plate central portion 143 and the shaft portion 41 are fixed to each other. A lower surface of the plate central portion 143 is arranged in direct contact with the shaft portion 41 and an upper surface of the upper thrust portion 42, whereby the upper plate member 142 is securely fixed to the motor 12. Moreover, because the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are defined preferably by a single monolithic member, an improvement is achieved in strength with which the upper plate member 142 is fixed to the motor 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rotating portion 3 includes a rotor hub 31 and a rotor magnet 32. The rotor hub 31 preferably includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve portion 5, a cover portion 311, and a cylindrical portion 312. The cover portion 311 is arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the sleeve portion 5. The cylindrical portion 312 is arranged to extend axially downward from an outer edge portion of the cover portion 311. The rotor magnet 32 is fixed to an inside of the cylindrical portion 312. The rotor magnet 32 is arranged radially opposite the stator 22. The rotating portion 3 is arranged to be rotated in response to a torque that is generated between the stator 22 and the rotor magnet 32. Note that, if so desired, the sleeve portion 5 may be defined by a member separate from the cover portion 311 and the cylindrical portion 312. In this case, the sleeve portion 5 is fixed to the cover portion 311.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the bearing mechanism 4. The bearing mechanism 4 preferably includes the shaft portion 41, the upper thrust portion 42, the lower thrust portion 43, the sleeve portion 5, an annular seal cap 44, i.e., a cap member, and the lubricating oil 45. As mentioned above, each of the shaft portion 41, the upper thrust portion 42, and the lower thrust portion 43 preferably defines a portion of the stationary portion 2, while each of the sleeve portion 5 and the seal cap 44 defines a portion of the rotating portion 3. The shaft portion 41 is, for example, press fitted to be fixed to a hole portion defined inside the lower thrust portion 43. The shaft portion 41 is arranged to orient in the vertical direction along the central axis J1. The upper thrust portion 42 includes an upper plate portion which is preferably flat, such that it possesses the shape of a plate, and arranged to extend radially outward from the upper portion of the shaft portion 41. The shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are preferably made of stainless steel or the like, for example. An outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42 includes an inclined surface that is angled in a radially inward direction with increasing height. The upper thrust portion 42 preferably includes a downward recessed shoulder portion 423 defined in an outer edge portion of the upper surface thereof.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42. For the sake of convenience in description, it is assumed herein that an upward extension 400, parallel to the central axis J1, of an outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41 is a boundary between the upper thrust portion 42 and the upper portion of the shaft portion 41. The female screw portion 412 of the shaft portion 41 preferably includes a thread defined portion 413, a counter bore 414, and a pilot hole 412 a. The thread defined portion 413 includes screw threads 413 a defined therein. The counter bore 414 is arranged axially above the thread defined portion 413. Note that the counter bore 414 is sometimes referred to in the art as a “countersink.” A chamfer 414 a is preferably defined at an upper end of the counter bore 414. The inside diameter H2 of a portion of the counter bore 414 below the chamfer 414 a is arranged to be greater than a maximum diameter H1 of the thread defined portion 413, that is, the diameter of the thread defined portion 413 measured between bottoms of opposing grooves defined between the screw threads 413 a. Provision of the counter bore 414 facilitates insertion of the screw 161 illustrated in FIG. 1 into the thread defined portion 413. A portion of the screw 161 where no screw threads are defined is arranged inside the counter bore 414.

The upper end of the shaft portion 41 includes a portion of an upper end annular surface 410 arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion 412 perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis J1. The upper end annular surface 410 is arranged to extend further over the upper thrust portion 42 such that a portion of the upper end annular surface 410 defines an uppermost surface of the upper thrust portion 42.

A depressed portion 415 which is slightly depressed upward and radially inward is defined between a lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 and the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41 located below the upper thrust portion 42. Providing the depressed portion 415 contributes to preventing an interference between the sleeve portion 5 illustrated in FIG. 3 and each of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42. An outer edge portion of the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 includes an inclined surface 420 which is angled slightly upward with increasing distance from the central axis J1.

When the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are manufactured, a metallic bar material is first subjected to a forging process to shape the shaft portion 41, the upper thrust portion 42, and portions corresponding to the pilot hole 412 a and the counter bore 414 of the female screw portion 412. At this time, the shoulder portion 423 is defined in the outer edge portion of the upper surface of the upper thrust portion 42, while the inclined surface 420 is defined in the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42. In addition, the outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42 is shaped so as to be angled radially inward with increasing height. The depressed portion 415 is defined between the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41 and the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42. As described above, substantially all of each of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 is shaped by the forging process. In this stage, the screw threads 413 a have not yet been defined in a portion corresponding to the thread defined portion 413.

Next, the screw threads 413 a are defined in the portion that corresponds to the thread defined portion 413 preferably by, for example, a tapping process or a rolling process, so that the thread defined portion 413 is formed. The outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41 and the lower surface 421 and the outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42 are finished, preferably by being ground, for example, to complete the manufacture of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42. Application of the forging process for the manufacture of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 contributes to a significant reduction in scrap when compared with the case where a cutting process is employed instead of the process of the preferred embodiment discussed above. Moreover, the application of the process of the preferred embodiment discussed above also contributes to a significant reduction in a time required to manufacture the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42.

The lower thrust portion 43 preferably includes a lower plate portion 431 and an outer tubular portion 432. The lower thrust portion 43 preferably is made of copper, high-strength brass, or the like, for example. The lower plate portion 431 is arranged to extend radially outward from a lower portion of the shaft portion 41. The outer tubular portion 432 is arranged to extend upward from an outer edge portion of the lower plate portion 431. An upper portion of an outer circumferential surface of the outer tubular portion 432 includes an inclined surface 433 that is angled in the radially inward direction with decreasing height.

In assembling the motor 12, a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the outer tubular portion 432 is fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the holder 211 of the base plate 21 through, for example, an adhesive. In comparison to press fit, the above method enables the vertical positioning of the outer tubular portion 432 relative to the base plate 21 to be achieved with greater precision, whereby improved precision in the height of the motor 12 is achieved.

The sleeve portion 5 includes an inner tubular portion 51 and a flange portion 52. The sleeve portion 5 is preferably made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or the like, for example. The inner tubular portion 51 is arranged in a substantially cylindrical space defined between the outer tubular portion 432 and the shaft portion 41. The flange portion 52 is arranged to project radially outward from an upper portion of the inner tubular portion 51. The axial thickness of the flange portion 52 is preferably a half or less than a half of the axial dimension of an inner circumferential surface 511 of the inner tubular portion 51, for example. Both an upper surface 521 and a lower surface 522 of the flange portion 52 are preferably arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the central axis J1. The flange portion 52 includes a communicating hole 61 arranged to extend through the flange portion 52 in the vertical direction. The number of communicating holes 61 is one in the present preferred embodiment. However, if so desired, two or more communicating holes 61 could also be defined in the flange portion. An upper end opening of the communicating hole 61 is arranged axially opposite the inclined surface 420 of the upper thrust portion 42 illustrated in FIG. 4. This arrangement prevents the upper end opening of the communicating hole 61 from being closed by the upper thrust portion 42.

The cover portion 311 of the rotor hub 31 includes an upper hub tubular portion 53 and a lower hub tubular portion 54. The upper hub tubular portion 53 is arranged substantially in the shape of a cylinder, and is arranged to extend axially upward from an outer edge portion of the sleeve portion 5, i.e., an outer edge portion of the flange portion 52. The upper hub tubular portion 53 is arranged radially outward of the upper thrust portion 42. An inner circumferential surface 531 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 includes a portion that is angled in the radially inward direction with increasing height. Hereinafter, the upper hub tubular portion 53 and the seal cap 44, which are arranged above the outer edge portion of the flange portion 52 and each of which defines a portion of the rotating portion 3, will be collectively referred to as an “upper hub annular portion 591”.

The lower hub tubular portion 54 is arranged substantially in the shape of a cylinder, and is arranged to extend downward from the outer edge portion of the flange portion 52. The lower hub tubular portion 54 is arranged radially outward of the outer tubular portion 432 of the lower thrust portion 43. An inner circumferential surface 541 of the lower hub tubular portion 54 includes a portion that is angled in the radially inward direction with decreasing height. Note that the upper and lower hub tubular portions 53 and 54 may be defined by members separate from the flange portion 52 or the cover portion 311.

The seal cap 44 preferably includes a cap cylindrical portion 441 and a cap cover portion 442. The cap cylindrical portion 441 is centered on the central axis J1. The cap cover portion 442 is substantially annular, and is arranged to extend radially inward from the cap cylindrical portion 441. The cap cylindrical portion 441, which is an outer edge portion of the seal cap 44, is fitted to the upper hub tubular portion 53, whereby the seal cap 44 is attached to the sleeve portion 5. When the seal cap 44 is attached to the upper hub tubular portion 53, the cap cylindrical portion 441 is arranged in direct radial contact with an outer circumferential surface of the upper hub tubular portion 53, and the cap cover portion 442 is arranged in axial contact with an upper surface of the upper hub tubular portion 53. The cap cylindrical portion 441 and the upper hub tubular portion 53 together define a tubular portion of the upper hub annular portion 591 which is arranged to extend upward from the outer edge portion of the flange portion 52. In addition, the cap cover portion 442 defines an annular cover portion of the upper hub annular portion 591 which is arranged to extend radially inward from the tubular portion. A radially inner portion of the cap cover portion 442 is arranged above a bottom portion of the shoulder portion 423.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rotating portion 3, which includes the sleeve portion 5, is arranged to rotate through the lubricating oil 45 with respect to the shaft portion 41, the upper thrust portion 42, and the lower thrust portion 43 while the motor 12 is driven.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the bearing mechanism 4. An outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41 is arranged radially opposite the inner circumferential surface 511 of the inner tubular portion 51 of the sleeve portion 5. A radial gap 62 is defined between the shaft portion 41 and the inner tubular portion 51. The radial width of the radial gap 62 is preferably arranged in the range of about 2 μm to about 4 μm, for example. Referring to FIG. 3, an axial gap 63 is defined between a lower end of the inner tubular portion 51 and the lower plate portion 431. Hereinafter, the gap 63 will be referred to as a “lower end gap 63”. Note that, in the present preferred embodiment, the radial gap 62 corresponds to a first gap.

Referring to FIG. 5, a gap 64 in the shape of a cylinder is defined between an outer circumferential surface 512 of the inner tubular portion 51 and an inner circumferential surface 434 of the outer tubular portion 432. Hereinafter, the gap 64 will be referred to as a “cylindrical gap 64”. Referring to FIG. 3, the cylindrical gap 64 is arranged in communication with the radial gap 62 through the lower end gap 63. The radial width of the cylindrical gap 64 is preferably greater than the radial width of the radial gap 62 and smaller than the diameter of the communicating hole 61. Note that, in the present preferred embodiment, the cylindrical gap 64 corresponds to a second gap.

Referring to FIG. 5, a gap 651 is defined between a region of the upper surface 521 of the flange portion 52 which is radially inward of the communicating hole 61 and a lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42, which is arranged axially opposite the upper surface 521. Hereinafter the gap 651 will be referred to as an “upper thrust gap 651”. In addition, a gap 652 is defined between a region of the lower surface 522 of the flange portion 52 which is radially inward of the communicating hole 61 and an upper surface 435 of the outer tubular portion 432. Hereinafter, the gap 652 will be referred to as a “lower thrust gap 652”. The upper and lower thrust gaps 651 and 652 are arranged in communication with each other through the communicating hole 61. In the bearing mechanism 4, the radial gap 62, the lower end gap 63, the cylindrical gap 64, the upper and lower thrust gaps 651 and 652, and the communicating hole 61 are arranged from a radial inside to a radial outside in this order. Note that, in the present preferred embodiment, the lower thrust gap 652 corresponds to a third gap.

The inner circumferential surface 531 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 is arranged radially opposite the outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42. A gap 661 is defined between the upper hub tubular portion 53 and the upper thrust portion 42. The upper thrust gap 651 is arranged in communication with the gap 661. The gap 661 is preferably arranged radially outward of the radial gap 62, the upper thrust gap 651, and the communicating hole 61. The gap 661 is arranged to gradually increase in width with increasing height, that is, with decreasing distance from an upper end opening of the gap 661. Hereinafter, the gap 661 will be referred to as an “upper seal gap 661”. In addition, the upper seal gap 661 is arranged to be angled toward the central axis J1 with increasing height. In other words, the upper seal gap 661 is arranged to be angled to the left in FIG. 4 with increasing height. A surface of the lubricating oil 45 is located in the upper seal gap 661. The lubricating oil 45 is retained in the upper seal gap 661 through capillary action. An upper seal portion 661 a arranged to retain the lubricating oil 45 is thus defined in the upper seal gap 661. The inner circumferential surface 531 and the outer circumferential surface 422 are preferably coated with oil-repellent films 86 above the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal gap 661. The upper end opening of the upper seal gap 661 is covered with the cap cover portion 442 of the seal cap 44.

The inner circumferential surface 541 of the lower hub tubular portion 54 is arranged radially opposite the inclined surface 433 of the outer tubular portion 432. A gap 662 extending downward is defined between the lower hub tubular portion 54 and the outer tubular portion 432. The gap 662 is arranged radially outward of the radial gap 62, the lower end gap 63, the cylindrical gap 64, the lower thrust gap 652, and the communicating hole 61. The gap 662 is arranged to gradually increase in width with decreasing height, that is, with decreasing distance from a lower end opening of the gap 662. Hereinafter, the gap 662 will be referred to as a “lower seal gap 662”. In addition, the lower seal gap 662 is arranged to be angled toward the central axis J1 with decreasing height. That is, the lower seal gap 662 is arranged to be inclined to the left in FIG. 5 with decreasing height. A surface of the lubricating oil 45 is located in the lower seal gap 662. The lubricating oil 45 is retained in the lower seal gap 662 through capillary action. A lower seal portion 662 a arranged to retain the lubricating oil 45 is defined in the lower seal gap 662. The inner circumferential surface 541 and the inclined surface 433 are coated with oil-repellent films 86 below the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal gap 662. The same holds true for other preferred embodiments described below. In the bearing mechanism 4, the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662 are arranged in communication with each other through the communicating hole 61.

The axial distance between the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a is shorter than the axial length of the radial gap 62. Moreover, the length of the communicating hole 61 is shorter than the axial distance between the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a. It is assumed here that the distance between the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a refers to the distance between an upper end of the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and a lower end of the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a.

Referring to FIG. 3, the radially outside diameter of the upper seal gap 661 is preferably substantially equal to the radially outside diameter of the lower seal gap 662. This makes it possible to arrange the communicating hole 61 to extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with the central axis J1. It is assumed here that the outside diameter of the upper seal gap 661 refers to the outside diameter of an innermost portion of the upper seal gap 661, and that the outside diameter of the lower seal gap 662 refers to the outside diameter of an innermost portion of the lower seal gap 662.

In the bearing mechanism 4, the communicating hole 61 and a space 6 extending from the upper seal gap 661 to the lower seal gap 662 through the upper thrust gap 651, the radial gap 62, the lower end gap 63, the cylindrical gap 64, and the lower thrust gap 652 are continuously filled with the lubricating oil 45. When the bearing mechanism 4 is constructed, the lubricating oil 45 is fed into the bearing mechanism 4 through the lower seal gap 662 with the lower seal gap 662 arranged to face axially upward in the direction of gravity. It is possible to control the amount of the lubricating oil 45 by visually identifying the height of the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal gap 662.

Note that the visual identification may be conducted either with eyes alone or with a magnified view of the lower seal gap 662 with the aid of a device such as, for example, a microscope. Also note that the visual identification may be conducted with a magnified image of the lower seal gap 662 shown on a screen with the aid of a device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve portion 5. In FIG. 6, the shape of the sleeve portion 5 beyond a cross section thereof is also depicted. The inner tubular portion 51 includes an upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 and a lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. The upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 is defined in a portion of the inner circumferential surface 511 which is on an upper side of a substantial axial middle thereof. The lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 is defined in a portion of the inner circumferential surface 511 which is on a lower side of the substantial axial middle thereof. In FIG. 6, dynamic pressure grooves are indicated by cross-hatching. Also in other figures referenced below, dynamic pressure grooves are indicated by cross-hatching. The upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 is defined by a collection of grooves arranged in, for example, a herringbone pattern, that is, a collection of a plurality of grooves each of which is arranged substantially in the shape of the letter “V” in horizontal orientation along a circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 511. The axial dimension of an upper portion of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 is preferably arranged to be greater than that of a lower portion of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711. Hereinafter, the upper portion and the lower portion of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 will be referred to as a “groove upper portion 711 a” and a “groove lower portion 711 b”, respectively. The lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 is also defined by grooves arranged in the herringbone pattern. The axial dimension of a groove upper portion 712 a of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 is arranged to be smaller than that of a groove lower portion 712 b of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712.

The lower thrust gap 652 illustrated in FIG. 5 is arranged at a level higher than that of an upper end of the groove upper portion 712 a of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. In the radial gap 62, a radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 arranged to generate a radial fluid dynamic pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 is defined through the upper and lower radial dynamic pressure groove arrays 711 and 712. Hereinafter, an upper dynamic pressure bearing portion corresponding to the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 will be referred to as an “upper radial dynamic pressure bearing portion 811”, while a lower dynamic pressure bearing portion corresponding to the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 will be referred to as a “lower radial dynamic pressure bearing portion 812”. The lower radial dynamic pressure bearing portion 812 is arranged to overlap in a radial direction with a fixing region 436 where the lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the outer tubular portion 432 and the holder 211 of the base plate 21 illustrated in FIG. 3 are fixed to each other.

Note that it is enough that the level of the lower thrust gap 652 should be arranged to be higher than that of the upper end of at least one of the dynamic pressure grooves constituting the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. Also note that the level of the lower thrust gap 652 may be arranged to be higher than that of the upper end of each of all the dynamic pressure grooves constituting the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. These arrangements fall within the scope of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42. In FIG. 7, a position corresponding to the communicating hole 61 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. The same holds true for FIG. 8. The lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 includes an upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 arranged in a spiral pattern defined therein. The upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged radially inward of a circle 731 which is centered on the central axis J1 and which touches an upper end opening of the communicating hole 61 at a radially outer point. Note that, in the case where the upper end opening is provided with a chamfer, the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged radially inward of a circle which is centered on the central axis J1 and which touches the chamfer at a radially outer point. In addition, an outer circumferential portion of the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged to overlap with the upper end opening of the communicating hole 61. In the upper thrust gap 651 illustrated in FIG. 5, a dynamic pressure bearing portion 821, which is a dynamic pressure generation portion arranged to generate a fluid dynamic pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in a thrust direction, is defined through the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721. Hereinafter, the dynamic pressure bearing portion 821 will be referred to as an “upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821”.

Note that it is enough that at least one of the dynamic pressure grooves defining the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 should be arranged radially inward of the circle 731. Also note that all of the dynamic pressure grooves defining the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 may be arranged radially inward of the circle 731. These arrangements fall within the scope of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the lower thrust portion 43. The upper surface 435 of the outer tubular portion 432 includes a lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 arranged in the spiral pattern defined therein. The lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is arranged radially inward of a circle 732 which is centered on the central axis J1 and which touches a lower end opening of the communicating hole 61 at a radially outer point. Note that, in the case where the lower end opening is provided with a chamfer, the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is arranged radially inward of a circle which is centered on the central axis J1 and which touches the chamfer at a radially outer point. In addition, an outer circumferential portion of the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is arranged to overlap with the lower end opening of the communicating hole 61. In the lower thrust gap 652 illustrated in FIG. 5, a dynamic pressure bearing portion 822, which is a dynamic pressure generation portion arranged to generate a fluid dynamic pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the thrust direction, is defined through the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722. Hereinafter, the dynamic pressure bearing portion 822 will be referred to as a “lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 822”.

Note that it is enough that at least one of the dynamic pressure grooves defining the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 should be arranged radially inward of the circle 732. Also note that all of the dynamic pressure grooves defining the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 may be arranged radially inward of the circle 732. These arrangements fall within the scope of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Even when the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged to overlap with the upper end opening of the communicating hole 61, and the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is arranged to overlap with the lower end opening of the communicating hole 61, a difference in pressure between an interior and an exterior of the communicating hole 61 is eliminated through the inclusion of a region where neither the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 nor the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is provided. As a result, a reduction in the difference in pressure between the upper and lower seal portions 661 a and 662 a is achieved.

While the motor 12 is driven, the inner tubular portion 51 of the sleeve portion 5 is supported by the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 in the radial direction with respect to the shaft portion 41, while the flange portion 52 is supported by a thrust dynamic pressure bearing defined by the upper and lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portions 821 and 822 in the thrust direction with respect to the upper thrust portion 42 and the outer tubular portion 432.

At this time, each of the upper and lower radial dynamic pressure groove arrays 711 and 712 illustrated in FIG. 5 generates a dynamic pressure by pumping the lubricating oil 45 to a middle portion thereof. As described above, the groove lower portion 711 b of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 is arranged to be shorter than the groove upper portion 711 a thereof, while the groove upper portion 712 a of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 is arranged to be shorter than the groove lower portion 712 b thereof. The radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 as a whole is arranged to generate little pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, in the upper thrust gap 651 illustrated in FIG. 5, a pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the direction of the shaft portion 41 is generated by the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821. The pressure on the lubricating oil 45 is thereby increased in an axially upper portion of the radial gap 62 and a radially inner portion of the upper thrust gap 651, whereby generation of an air bubble is prevented therein.

In the lower thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 822, a pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the direction of the cylindrical gap 64 is generated. The pressure on the lubricating oil 45 is increased in an axially lower portion of the radial gap 62, the lower end gap 63, the cylindrical gap 64, and a radially inner portion of the lower thrust gap 652, whereby generation of an air bubble is prevented in the cylindrical gap 64 and the lower end gap 63. As described above, in the motor 12, a pressure is applied to the lubricating oil 45 throughout an entire circulation channel of the lubricating oil 45 except for the communicating hole 61, so that a sufficient bearing performance of the bearing mechanism 4 is ensured.

Next, the structure of the upper seal gap 661 and its vicinity within the motor 12 will now be described below. Referring to FIG. 9, the shoulder portion 423 of the upper thrust portion 42 preferably includes an inner cylindrical surface 741, an outer annular surface 742, and an annular groove portion 743. The inner cylindrical surface 741 is substantially cylindrical, and is arranged radially inward of the outer circumferential surface 422 to extend in the axial direction. The inner cylindrical surface 741 is arranged radially outward of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 illustrated in FIG. 5. An upper end of the inner cylindrical surface 741 is arranged at an axial level higher than that of an upper end of the outer circumferential surface 422. Referring to FIG. 5, the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 741, that is, the outside diameter of the upper end annular surface 410, is arranged to be greater than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41. Referring to FIG. 9, the outer annular surface 742 is arranged radially outward of the upper end annular surface 410 and the inner cylindrical surface 741, and radially inward of the outer circumferential surface 422, and is arranged to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis J1. The outer annular surface 742 is arranged at a level lower than that of the upper end of the inner cylindrical surface 741, that is, the level of the upper end annular surface 410. The groove portion 743 is arranged between the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the outer annular surface 742, and is recessed downward relative to the outer annular surface 742. In other words, the upper end annular surface 410 and the outer annular surface 742 are joined to each other through the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the groove portion 743, which together define another annular surface. Note that providing the shoulder portion 423 does not cause a significant decrease in rigidity of the upper thrust portion 42 because the upper thrust portion 42 is arranged to have a sufficient axial thickness between the lower surface 421 and a combination of the outer annular surface 742 and a bottom surface of the groove portion 743.

A radially extending gap 663 a, which is annular and arranged to extend radially, is defined between a lower surface of the cap cover portion 442 of the seal cap 44 and the outer annular surface 742. An axially extending gap 663 b, which is annular, is defined between a radially inner edge 443 of the cap cover portion 442 and the inner cylindrical surface 741, which is arranged to extend downward from an outer edge of the upper end annular surface 410. An upper portion of the upper seal gap 661 is continuously provided with the radially extending gap 663 a. The radially extending gap 663 a is continuously provided with the axially extending gap 663 b through a gap 663 c defined between the cap cover portion 442 and the groove portion 743. Hereinafter, the gap 663 c will be referred to as a “groove portion gap 663 c”. The axially extending gap 663 b is arranged to open into a space above the upper thrust portion 42. The upper seal gap 661 is thus arranged in communication with the space above the upper thrust portion 42 through the radially extending gap 663 a, the groove portion gap 663 c, and the axially extending gap 663 b. Hereinafter, the radially extending gap 663 a, the groove portion gap 663 c, and the axially extending gap 663 b will be collectively referred to as a “communicating gap 663”. The radially extending gap 663 a is a region where the communicating gap 663 includes a locally decreased axial width. The axially extending gap 663 b is a region where the communicating gap 663 includes a locally decreased radial width.

The axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is arranged to be smaller than the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661. In other words, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is arranged to be smaller than the radial distance between an edge 422 a where the outer annular surface 742 and the outer circumferential surface 422 meet and an upper edge of a chamfer 531 a defined in an inner top portion of the upper hub tubular portion 53. Note that, in the case where a chamfer is defined between the outer annular surface 742 and the outer circumferential surface 422, the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661 refers to the radial distance between an upper edge of this chamfer and the upper edge of the chamfer 531 a of the upper hub tubular portion 53.

An excessively large axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a and an excessively large radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b will lead to a significant reduction in an effect of reducing axial and radial flows of air therein. On the other hand, an excessively small axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a and an excessively small radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b will lead to an increased probability of contacting between the seal cap 44 and the upper thrust portion 42. Therefore, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is preferably set at an appropriate value to reduce the axial flow of air therein, and the radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b is preferably set at an appropriate value to reduce the radial flow of air therein, and also to prevent a contact of the seal cap 44 with the upper thrust portion 42.

For example, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm. Specifically, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is more preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.1 mm. The radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b is preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm. As with the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a, the radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b is arranged to be smaller than the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661. Moreover, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is preferably arranged to be smaller than the radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b.

In the motor 12, the communicating gap 663 is arranged to have a labyrinth structure, including a radially extending gap and an axially extending gap, and therefore, an air containing an evaporated lubricating oil in the upper seal gap 661 is prevented from traveling to an outside of the motor 12 therethrough. In particular, because the communicating gap 663 is arranged radially inward of the upper seal gap 661, a centrifugal force acting on an air in the communicating gap 663 in the direction of the upper seal gap 661 is generated while the motor 12 is driven. This contributes to an additional prevention of the travel of the air containing the evaporated lubricating oil to the outside of the motor 12. Note that the motor 12 has an increased resistance against a flow of air in the communicating gap compared with a motor in which a communicating gap in communication with the outside of the motor is arranged radially outward of the seal gap. Furthermore, a circumferential air current is generated in the axially extending gap 663 b, and this contributes to preventing air from traveling between the space above the upper thrust portion 42 and the groove portion gap 663 c. It is easy to secure a sufficient radial dimension of the radially extending gap 663 a in the communicating gap 663. The radially extending gap 663 a having a small width and a large radial dimension makes it possible to secure a sufficient resistance against the flow of air therein.

The motor 12 according to the first preferred embodiment has been described above. In the motor 12, the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are preferably manufactured from a material shaped by, for example, the forging process and including the pilot hole 412 a of the female screw portion 412. This contributes to a reduction in the amount of the material used to manufacture the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 compared with the case where the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are defined by, for example, the cutting process. In addition, a reduction in a processing cost is achieved. Furthermore, a reduction in a cost of the manufacture of the motor 12 is also achieved. The same holds true for all other preferred embodiments of the present invention described below. Furthermore, a reduction in the scrap that results from the manufacture of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 is achieved, leading to a reduction in an environmental burden.

In the motor 12, the outside diameter of the upper end annular surface 410 is arranged to be greater than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41. The upper end annular surface 410 is thereby arranged to have a sufficient area without an increase in the diameter of the radial gap 62. This makes it possible to sufficiently and securely fix the plate central portion 143 to the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42. Moreover, an increase in the magnitude of current required to drive the motor 12 and an increase in a shaft loss are prevented because the diameter of the radial gap 62 is not increased.

By providing the radially extending gap 663 a and the axially extending gap 663 b in the motor 12 contributes to reducing evaporation of the lubricating oil 45, and achieving an improvement in a life of the motor 12. Because the upper seal portion 661 a is arranged in a radially outer portion of the bearing mechanism 4, it is possible to secure a sufficient space to arrange the communicating gap 663 in a radially inner portion of the bearing mechanism 4.

Providing the groove portion 743 in the shoulder portion 423 of the upper thrust portion 42 makes it possible to arrange the inner edge 443 of the seal cap 44 in closer proximity to the inner cylindrical surface 741, and makes it easier to define the axially extending gap 663 b, than in the case where a curved surface smoothly joining the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the outer annular surface 742 to each other is provided instead of the groove portion 743.

In the bearing mechanism 4, the axial distance between the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a is shorter than the axial length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81. The axial length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 refers to the distance between an upper end and a lower end of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81. More specifically, the axial length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 refers to the distance between an upper end of the groove upper portion 711 a of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 and a lower end of the groove lower portion 712 b of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. Note that a portion that does not contribute to the function of the dynamic pressure bearing may exist between the upper and lower ends. The same holds true for other preferred embodiments of the present invention described below. A reduction in a difference in pressure between the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a is achieved by arranging the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a to be closer to each other in the axial direction as described above. This prevents a leakage of the lubricating oil 45.

Moreover, the axial length of the communicating hole 61 is shorter than the axial distance between the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a. This contributes to reducing the amount of the lubricating oil 45 arranged in the communicating hole 61, and at the same time to reducing channel resistance. A reduction in a difference in pressure between the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662 owing to influence of channel resistance and gravity acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the communicating hole 61 is achieved. This contributes to reducing movement of the lubricating oil 45 between the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662, and further prevents leakage of the lubricating oil 45.

Furthermore, the cylindrical gap 64, which corresponds to the second gap, is arranged to be in communication with a lower portion of the radial gap 62, which corresponds to the first gap, while at the same time the lower thrust gap 652, which corresponds to the third gap, is arranged axially above the lower radial dynamic pressure bearing portion 812. This arrangement makes it possible to arrange the lower thrust gap 652 to be closer to the upper thrust gap 651, making it easier to reduce the length of the communicating hole 61, which is arranged to make the upper and lower thrust gaps 651 and 652 in communication with each other. As a result, the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a are arranged to be closer to each other.

The communicating hole 61 is arranged to extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with the central axis J1 to reduce a difference between the distance from the upper end opening of the communicating hole 61 to the upper seal gap 661 and the distance from the lower end opening of the communicating hole 61 to the lower seal gap 662. This arrangement contributes to further reducing the difference in pressure between the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662.

Furthermore, the end opening of each of the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662 is arranged to be angled to face the central axis J1. Therefore, during rotation of the motor 12, the lubricating oil 45 is pressed inward in each of the upper and lower seal gaps 661 and 662 through a centrifugal force. This prevents a leakage of the lubricating oil 45. As a result, designing of the motor 12 is made easier.

The upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged to extend radially outward to such an extent that the outer circumferential portion thereof overlaps with the communicating hole 61 in plan view. As a result, a thrust dynamic pressure is efficiently obtained, and a portion of the flange portion 52 which is close to the outer edge portion thereof is supported by the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821. This contributes to more stable support of the sleeve portion 5. The same holds true for the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722.

In the motor 12, the lower thrust gap 652 is arranged in the upper portion of the bearing mechanism 4. Accordingly, a space is secured below the lower thrust gap 652, and the fixing region 436 where the outer tubular portion 432 and the base plate 21 are fixed to each other can be arranged in this space. This enables the fixing region 436 to have a sufficient axial dimension. In the motor 12, a greater axial length of the radial gap 62 is preferred because an increase in the axial length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing can thereby be achieved, and an improvement in rigidity of the bearing mechanism 4 against an external force acting in such a direction as to tilt the rotating portion 3 can also be achieved. The fixing region 436 is arranged to overlap with at least a portion of the lower radial dynamic pressure bearing portion 812 in the radial direction. As a result, both an increase in the axial length of the radial gap 62 and an increase in the axial dimension of the fixing region 436 are achieved. Moreover, surroundings of a lower portion of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 are surrounded by the base plate 21. This results in increased rigidity of the surroundings of the lower portion of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81. Moreover, a reduction in the thickness of the motor 12 as a whole in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis J1 is achieved.

Because the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are preferably defined by a single continuous monolithic member, and because the lower plate portion 431 and the outer tubular portion 432 are defined by a single continuous monolithic member, a reduction in the number of components of the motor 12 and a reduction in the number of steps required to assemble the motor 12 are achieved. It is easy to define the communicating hole 61 in the sleeve portion 5 because the communicating hole 61 is arranged to have a small axial length and to extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with the central axis J1. A reduction in the total amount of the lubricating oil 45 is also achieved. Note that the diameter of the communicating hole 61 may be reduced to as small as the width of the cylindrical gap 64 to achieve an additional reduction in the amount of the lubricating oil 45.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the inner tubular portion 51. Referring to FIG. 9, in the motor 12, a lower surface of the inner tubular portion 51 may include a thrust dynamic pressure groove array 723 defined therein. A thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion arranged to support the inner tubular portion 51 in the thrust direction is thereby defined in the lower end gap 63 illustrated in FIG. 3. In this case, a dynamic pressure generation portion that functions as a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion may not necessarily be arranged in the lower thrust gap 652. Note, however, that it is preferable that a dynamic pressure groove array which defines a dynamic pressure generation portion arranged to induce a radially inward pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 should be arranged in the lower thrust gap. In the case of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, the axial width of the lower thrust gap is preferably arranged to be greater than that of the lower end gap. The same holds true for a second preferred embodiment of the present invention described below.

Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a bearing mechanism 4 a in a motor according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. A sleeve portion 5 a of the bearing mechanism 4 a includes an upper inner tubular portion 55 which is annular and arranged to extend axially upward from a radially inner portion of the flange portion 52. Hereinafter, the inner tubular portion 51, which is arranged below the flange portion 52, will be referred to as a “lower inner tubular portion 51” when the inner tubular portion 51 is distinguished from the upper inner tubular portion 55. An upper thrust portion 42 a includes an upper plate portion 424 and an upper outer tubular portion 425. The upper plate portion 424 is arranged to extend radially outward from the upper portion of the shaft portion 41. The upper outer tubular portion 425 is arranged to extend downward from an outer edge portion of the upper plate portion 424. As with the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 a according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention are preferably manufactured from a material shaped by, for example, a forging process. Hereinafter, the plate portion 431 of the lower thrust portion 43 will be referred to as a “lower plate portion 431” when the plate portion 431 is distinguished from the upper plate portion 424. The outer tubular portion 432 will be referred to as a “lower outer tubular portion 432” when the outer tubular portion 432 is distinguished from the upper outer tubular portion 425. The bearing mechanism 4 a is otherwise similar in structure to the bearing mechanism 4 in the motor 12 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Note that like members or portions are designated by like reference numerals in the following description.

The upper thrust portion 42 a includes the shoulder portion 423 recessed axially downward and defined between an upper surface of the upper plate portion 424 and an outer circumferential surface 429 of the upper outer tubular portion 425. While some of the reference symbols shown in FIG. 9 are omitted in FIG. 11, the radially extending gap 663 a is defined between the outer annular surface 742 of the shoulder portion 423 and the lower surface of the cap cover portion 442 as in FIG. 9. In addition, the axially extending gap 663 b is defined between the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the inner edge 443 of the cap cover portion 442. Thus, as in the first preferred embodiment, a reduction in the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45 through the upper seal portion 661 a, and an improvement in the life of the motor are achieved.

Referring to FIG. 11, a gap 671 is defined between an upper surface 551 of the upper inner tubular portion 55 and a lower surface 426 of the upper plate portion 424 in the axial direction, i.e., in the vertical direction in FIG. 11. Hereinafter, the gap 671 will be referred to as an “upper end gap 671”. In addition, a cylindrical gap 672 is defined between an outer circumferential surface 552 of the upper inner tubular portion 55 and an inner circumferential surface 427 of the upper outer tubular portion 425 in the radial direction. Hereinafter, the gap 672 will be referred to as an “upper cylindrical gap 672”. Hereinafter, the cylindrical gap 64, which is defined between the outer circumferential surface 512 of the lower inner tubular portion 51 and the inner circumferential surface 434 of the lower outer tubular portion 432, will be referred to as a “lower cylindrical gap 64” when the cylindrical gap 64 is distinguished from the upper cylindrical gap 672.

An upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 is defined in a lower surface 428 of the upper outer tubular portion 425 of the upper thrust portion 42 a. As a result, the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821 is defined in the upper thrust gap 651 between the lower surface 428 of the upper outer tubular portion 425 and the upper surface 521 of the flange portion 52. In the bearing mechanism 4 a, the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821 and the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81 are arranged in communication with each other through the upper cylindrical gap 672 and the upper end gap 671.

The upper seal portion 661 a is defined between the outer circumferential surface 429 of the upper outer tubular portion 425 and the inner circumferential surface 531 of the upper hub tubular portion 53. The lower seal portion 662 a is defined between the inclined surface 433 of the lower outer tubular portion 432 and the inner circumferential surface 541 of the lower hub tubular portion 54. The upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a are arranged in communication with each other through the communicating hole 61. The axial distance between the upper end of the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower end of the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a is preferably longer than the length of the communicating hole 61 and shorter than the length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81.

Also in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axial distance between the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal portion 661 a and the surface of the lubricating oil 45 in the lower seal portion 662 a is shorter than the length of the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81. This arrangement contributes to reducing the difference in pressure between the upper and lower seal portions 661 a and 662 a. This contributes to preventing a leakage of the lubricating oil 45. Furthermore, the length of the communicating hole 61 being shorter than the distance between the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a makes it easier to prevent any leakage of the lubricating oil 45.

Providing the upper cylindrical gap 672 and the lower cylindrical gap 64 contributes to reducing the length of the communicating hole 61. The reduced length of the communicating hole 61 contributes to arranging the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a to be closer to each other, whereby a leakage of the lubricating oil 45 is more easily prevented. Moreover, the upper end gap 671 and the upper cylindrical gap 672 are arranged between the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821 and the radial dynamic pressure bearing 81. This arrangement contributes to increased pressure on the lubricating oil 45 in the upper end gap 671 and the upper cylindrical gap 672, whereby generation of an air bubble is prevented therein.

In the bearing mechanism 4 a, the upper surface 551 of the upper inner tubular portion 55 may include a thrust dynamic pressure groove array similar to the thrust dynamic pressure groove array 723 illustrated in FIG. 9 defined therein. This results in a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion being defined in the upper end gap 671 to support the upper inner tubular portion 55 in the thrust direction. In this case, a dynamic pressure generation portion that functions as an upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion may not necessarily be arranged in the upper thrust gap 651. Note, however, that it is preferable that a dynamic pressure groove array which defines a dynamic pressure generation portion arranged to produce a radially inward pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 should be arranged in the upper thrust gap 651. The axial width of the upper end gap 671 is preferably greater than that of the upper thrust gap 651.

Third Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrates a motor 12 a according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the motor 12 a, the sleeve portion 5, an upper hub tubular portion 53 a, and the lower hub tubular portion 54 are preferably defined by a single continuous monolithic member. In addition, the cover portion 311 and the cylindrical portion 312 are preferably defined by a single continuous monolithic member. The upper hub tubular portion 53 a includes an annular projecting portion 532 arranged to project upward. A seal cap 44 a is arranged to be annular and centered on the central axis J1. In the motor 12 a, the upper hub tubular portion 53 a defines the tubular portion of the upper hub annular portion 591. In addition, the seal cap 44 a defines the annular cover portion of the upper hub annular portion 591. The motor 12 a is otherwise substantially similar in structure to the motor 12 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the motor 12 a, a radially outer edge 444 of the seal cap 44 a is tightly fitted to an inner circumferential surface of the projecting portion 532. Note that the outer edge 444 may be fixed to the upper hub tubular portion 53 a preferably through, for example, an adhesive. Also note that the outer edge 444 may be fixed to the upper hub tubular portion 53 a through, for example, a combination of the tight fit and use of the adhesive, if so desired.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the seal cap 44 a. FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the seal cap 44 a. The inner edge 443 of the seal cap 44 a preferably includes an inner annular projecting portion 461 arranged to project downward. A lower surface of the seal cap 44 a includes a recessed portion 462 recessed upward. The depth of the recessed portion 462 is preferably arranged in the range of about 10 μm to about 50 μm, for example. Referring to FIG. 13, the upper thrust portion 42 includes an annular groove portion 744 having a great depth and defined between the inner cylindrical surface 741, which is arranged radially inward of the outer circumferential surface 422, and the outer annular surface 742, which is arranged radially outward of the inner cylindrical surface 741. The primary shape of each of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 is defined by, for example, a forging process, and the groove portion 744 is also shaped by the, for example, forging process at the same time. The same holds true for other preferred embodiments of the present invention described below. The upper end of the inner cylindrical surface 741 is arranged at an axial level higher than that of the outer annular surface 742 and that of the upper end of the outer circumferential surface 422. The upper end annular surface 410 is fixably joined to the outer annular surface 742 through the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the groove portion 744. The outside diameter of the upper end annular surface 410 is arranged to be greater than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41. The same holds true for other preferred embodiments of the present invention described below.

A lower end of the inner annular projecting portion 461 of the seal cap 44 a is arranged inside the groove portion 744. The radially extending gap 663 a, which is annular and arranged to extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis J1, is defined between a bottom surface 445 of the recessed portion 462, which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis J1, and the outer annular surface 742 of the upper thrust portion 42.

The axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is arranged to be smaller than the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661. In other words, the axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is arranged to be smaller than the radial distance between an upper edge of a chamfer 661 b defined between the outer annular surface 742 and the outer circumferential surface 422 and an upper edge of a chamfer 661 c defined at an inner top portion of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a. Note that, in the case where the upper thrust portion 42 and the upper hub tubular portion 53 a are not provided with the chamfers 661 b and 661 c, respectively, in the upper portion of the upper seal gap 661, the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661 refers to the radial distance between an upper edge of the outer circumferential surface 422 and an upper edge of the inner circumferential surface 531 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a.

The axial width of the radially extending gap 663 a is preferably in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm, for example. The radially extending gap 663 a is continuous with the upper portion of the upper seal gap 661. Each of the outer annular surface 742 and the bottom surface 445 of the recessed portion 462 is coated with an oil-repellent agent about its entire circumference. Hereinafter, an annular region that surrounds the central axis J1 and which is coated with an oil-repellent film 86 on the bottom surface 445 of the recessed portion 462 of the seal cap 44 a will be referred to as a “first oil-repellent film region 851”. An annular region that surrounds the central axis J1 and which is coated with an oil-repellent film 86 on the outer annular surface 742 will be referred to as a “second oil-repellent film region 852”.

A strong physical shock to the motor 12 a may cause droplets of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal gap 661 to be scattered, so that some of the droplets may be adhered to the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a or the outer annular surface 742. Provision of the first and second oil-repellent film regions 851 and 852 in the motor 12 a contributes to preventing the droplets of the lubricating oil 45 from traveling radially inward on the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a or the outer annular surface 742. The lubricating oil 45 is thus prevented from traveling through the radially extending gap 663 a to be leaked out of the motor 12 a. In other words, the lubricating oil 45 is prevented from traveling radially inward beyond the first and second oil-repellent film regions 851 and 852. Moreover, the provision of the first oil-repellent film region 851 and the second oil-repellent film region 852 contributes to more effective prevention of a leakage of the lubricating oil 45 out of the upper seal gap 661. Furthermore, because the radially extending gap 663 a is a minute gap, the provision of at least one of the first oil-repellent film region 851 and the second oil-repellent film region 852 reduces the leakage of the lubricating oil 45 out of the upper seal gap 661.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a includes shoulder portions 462 a and 462 b. The shoulder portion 462 a is annular and arranged to extend radially inward from the bottom surface 445 while extending downward. The shoulder portion 462 b is annular and arranged to extend radially outward from the bottom surface 445 while extending downward. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the shoulder portion 462 a, which is arranged radially inward of the bottom surface 445, is arranged radially inward of the radially extending gap 663 a. It is possible to use the shoulder portions 462 a and 462 b illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 as marks to properly apply the oil-repellent agent onto the bottom surface 445 of the seal cap 44 a. Note that, if so desired, the oil-repellent agent may be applied to the shoulder portions 462 a and 462 b as well.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the axially extending gap 663 b, which is arranged to open into the space above the upper thrust portion 42, is defined between the inner annular projecting portion 461 and the inner cylindrical surface 741. The radial width of the axially extending gap 663 b is preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm, for example. The radially extending gap 663 a is arranged in communication with the axially extending gap 663 b through the groove portion gap 663 c, which is defined between the groove portion 744 and the seal cap 44 a. In the motor 12 a, the communicating gap 663, which is arranged to communicate the upper seal gap 661 with the space above the upper thrust portion 42, is defined by the radially extending gap 663 a, the groove portion gap 663 c, and the axially extending gap 663 b.

Also in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inclusion of the radially extending gap 663 a and the axially extending gap 663 b in the communicating gap 663 contributes to preventing an air containing an evaporated lubricating oil in the upper seal gap 661 from traveling to the outside of the motor 12 a. This contributes to reducing the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45, and thereby achieving an improvement in a usable life of the motor 12 a. Moreover, because the lower end of the inner annular projecting portion 461 is arranged inside the groove portion 744, a further reduction in the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45 is achieved. The same holds true for similar structures in other preferred embodiments described below.

The arrangement of the groove portion 744 at a position radially inward of the outer annular surface 742 in the upper thrust portion 42 makes it possible to arrange the inner annular projecting portion 461 in close proximity to the inner cylindrical surface 741, making it easier to define the axially extending gap 663 b. Since the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 are shaped through the forging process, work hardening that occurs in the groove portion 744 can be utilized to achieve an improvement in precision with which a portion of the upper thrust portion 42 which is radially outward of the groove portion 744 is shaped, in particular, an improvement in precision with which the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 is shaped. The provision of the inner annular projecting portion 461 in the seal cap 44 a contributes to an increased axial dimension of the axially extending gap 663 b, and also to an increased rigidity of the seal cap 44 a. In particular, because flexural strength of the seal cap 44 a is thereby improved, the seal cap 44 a is prevented from undergoing a deformation when the seal cap 44 a is, for example, press fitted to be thereby fixed to the projecting portion 532. The motor 12 a is able to achieve a reduction in the axial thickness of the seal cap 44 a, and a reduction in the total size of the motor 12 a. Regarding a storage disk drive including the motor 12 a, when the upper plate member 142 of the housing 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is fixed to the motor 12 a, a strong force may be applied to the upper thrust portion 42. Even if that happens, the force is absorbed by bending of the inner cylindrical surface 741 and the groove portion 744, and the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 is prevented from undergoing a substantial deformation. As a result, a reduction in performance of the upper thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion 821 is substantially prevented.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a motor 12 a according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radially outer edge 444 of the seal cap 44 a of the motor 12 a includes an outer annular projecting portion 463 arranged to project upward. An outer circumferential surface of the outer annular projecting portion 463 is tightly fitted and thereby fixed to the projecting portion 532. The inclusion of the outer annular projecting portion 463 in the seal cap 44 a contributes to an increase in an area where the seal cap 44 a is in direct contact with the projecting portion 532. The increase in the contact area contributes to an improvement in strength with which the seal cap 44 a is, for example, press fitted to the projecting portion 532. Note that, in the case where the outer annular projecting portion 463 and the projecting portion 532 are fixed to each other through, for example, an adhesive, an improvement in adhesive strength therebetween is achieved.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a motor 12 a according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The projecting portion 532 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a includes a raised portion 533 that is raised radially inward. In the motor 12 a, an upper edge of the outer edge 444 of seal cap 44 a and the raised portion 533 are arranged in contact with each other in the axial direction. This contributes to more effectively preventing the seal cap 44 a from coming off the upper hub tubular portion 53 a. When the seal cap 44 a is fixed to the upper hub tubular portion 53 a, the outer edge 444 of the seal cap 44 a is moved downward while undergoing an upward elastic deformation when being in contact with the raised portion 533, and once the outer edge 444 is moved downward beyond the raised portion 533, the outer edge 444 regains its original shape thanks to resilience.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the upper seal gap 661 and its vicinity of a motor according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. An upper portion 530 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a includes a shoulder portion 534. The shoulder portion 534 is arranged in a region that is radially inward of the projecting portion 532 and which is axially opposed to the seal cap 44 a, and is arranged to extend radially outward while extending upward. In the upper portion 530 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a, the shoulder portion 534, an inner annular surface 535, which is annular and centered on the central axis J1 and which is arranged radially inward of the shoulder portion 534, and the chamfer 661 c are coated with an oil-repellent film 86 throughout their entire circumference. Hereinafter, the shoulder portion 534, the inner annular surface 535, and the chamfer 661 c will be collectively referred to as a “third oil-repellent film region 853”. In addition, as in the case of FIG. 13, the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a and the outer annular surface 742 of the upper thrust portion 42 are provided with the first and second oil-repellent film regions 851 and 852, respectively.

Providing the third oil-repellent film region 853, which is annular and arranged to surround the central axis J1, in the upper portion 530 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a contributes to preventing a leakage of the lubricating oil 45 due to a centrifugal force when the rotation of the motor 12 is examined before the attachment of the seal cap 44 a. It is possible to use the shoulder portion 534 as a mark to properly apply the oil-repellent agent onto the inner annular surface 535 and the chamfer 661 c of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a.

Moreover, when the lubricating oil 45 is injected into the bearing mechanism 4 through the lower seal gap 662 illustrated in FIG. 5 with the bearing mechanism 4 turned upside down, the provision of the second and third oil-repellent film regions 852 and 853 contributes to preventing a portion of the lubricating oil 45 which has flowed into the upper seal gap 661 from traveling beyond the outer annular surface 742 of the upper thrust portion 42 or the upper portion 530 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 a.

Note that, in the bearing mechanism 4, the position of the third oil-repellent film region 853 may be modified appropriately as long as at least a portion of the third oil-repellent film region 853 is arranged radially inward of the shoulder portion 534. For example, an upper portion of the inner circumferential surface 531 may define a portion of the third oil-repellent film region. Also note that the oil-repellent film 86 may not necessarily be arranged to extend over the shoulder portion 534, but the third oil-repellent film region may be arranged to extend over only the inner annular surface 535, the chamfer 661 c, and the upper portion of the inner circumferential surface 531. Also note that the third oil-repellent film region may be arranged to extend over only the inner annular surface 535, and that the third oil-repellent film region may be arranged to extend over only the chamfer 661 c.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a storage disk drive 1 including a motor according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The structure of this motor is similar to that of the motor 12 a illustrated in FIG. 12. An upper surface 440 of the seal cap 44 a according to the present preferred embodiment includes a surface 440 a that is arranged at an axial level higher than that of a surrounding area and which is arranged axially opposite an outer edge portion of a lower surface 143 a of the plate central portion 143 of the housing. Note that the upper surface 440 refers to a surface whose normal is pointed axially upward. In the storage disk drive 1, an annular, radially extending gap 663 d is defined between the surface 440 a and the lower surface 143 a of the plate central portion 143. Hereinafter, the radially extending gap 663 a, which is defined between the seal cap 44 a and the upper thrust portion 42 will be referred to as a “first radially extending gap 663 a”, while the gap 663 d will be referred to as a “second radially extending gap 663 d”. The axial width of the second radially extending gap 663 d is preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm, for example. The second radially extending gap 663 d is arranged in communication with the axially extending gap 663 b through a gap 663 e defined between the lower surface 143 a of the plate central portion 143 and a radially inner portion of the upper surface 440 of the seal cap 44 a. Note that the axial width of the gap 663 e is also preferably arranged in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 0.2 mm, for example.

In the storage disk drive 1, a communicating gap 664 arranged to bring the upper seal gap 661 into communication with the space outside the motor is made up of the first radially extending gap 663 a, the groove portion gap 663 c, the axially extending gap 663 b, the gap 663 e, and the second radially extending gap 663 d. As is the case with the first radially extending gap 663 a and the axially extending gap 663 b, the second radially extending gap 663 d is a region that has a locally decreased width within the communicating gap 664 and which has a width smaller than the maximum radial width of the upper seal gap 661.

Also in the fourth preferred embodiment, a reduction in the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45 is achieved because the communicating gap 664 is arranged to have a labyrinth structure, including radially extending gaps and an axially extending gap. The provision of the second radially extending gap 663 d, which has a decreased axial width, contributes to an additional reduction in the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments, but a variety of modifications are possible. In a modification of any of the above-described preferred embodiments, during the manufacture of the member including the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 or 42 a, a portion of the member which has preferably been shaped by, for example, the forging process may be additionally subjected to a cutting process or a drilling process if so desirable. Even in this case, the general shapes of the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 or 42 a are defined by the forging process, and therefore, a reduction in the amount of the material used to manufacture the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 or 42 a is achieved compared with the case where these portions are manufactured from a bar material only through the cutting process. Referring to FIG. 20, in a modification of the third preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a may include an annular raised portion 464 arranged to project downward. In this case, an oil-repellent agent is applied onto a surface 464 a of the raised portion 464 which is perpendicular to the central axis J1. The seal cap 44 a includes an annular shoulder portion 464 b arranged to extend radially inward from the surface 464 a while extending upward, and an annular shoulder portion 464 c arranged to extend radially outward from the surface 464 a while extending upward. It is possible to use the shoulder portions 464 b and 464 c as marks for proper application of the oil-repellent agent.

The region where the oil-repellent agent is to be applied is made easily identifiable by arranging a portion of the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a which is radially inward of the radially extending gap 663 a at a level higher or lower than that of a portion of the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a which defines the radially extending gap 663 a. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 21, the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a may include a minute recessed portion 465 defined by an annular cut. The minute recessed portion 465 is arranged radially inward of the radially extending gap 663 a illustrated in FIG. 13. The oil-repellent agent is applied onto a portion of the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a which is radially outward of the minute recessed portion 465. Alternatively, the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a may include an annular, minute raised portion.

As described above, the provision of an annular shoulder portion extending upward or downward while extending radially inward in at least a portion of the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a which is radially inward of the radially extending gap 663 a makes it easier to properly apply the oil-repellent agent onto a portion of the lower surface of the seal cap 44 a which is radially outward of the shoulder portion. The same holds true for the first radially extending gap 663 a illustrated in FIG. 19. Regarding the upper hub tubular portion 53 a illustrated in FIG. 13, the third oil-repellent film region 853 may be arranged in the chamfer 661 c, which is arranged in the vicinity of an upper end opening of the upper seal gap 661, and an area surrounding the chamfer 661 c, unless the oil-repellent film 86 applied thereto affects the attachment of the seal cap 44 a. In each of the first, second, and fourth preferred embodiments, as well as in the third preferred embodiment, the first and second oil-repellent film regions may be arranged in the lower surface of the seal cap 44 or 44 a and the outer annular surface 742 of the upper thrust portion 42 or 42 a, respectively. The third oil-repellent film region may be arranged in the upper portion of the upper hub tubular portion 53 or 53 a.

Referring to FIG. 22, in a modification of the third preferred embodiment, an inner annular projecting portion 466 projecting upward may be arranged at the inner edge 443 of the seal cap 44 a such that the axially extending gap 663 b is defined between the inner annular projecting portion 466 and the inner cylindrical surface 741. The inner edge 443 including an annular projecting portion arranged to project in the axial direction makes it easier to secure a sufficient length of the axially extending gap 663 b while securing a sufficient rigidity of the seal cap 44 a.

Referring to FIG. 23, the inner edge 443 of the seal cap 44 a may be arranged to extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis J1. Even in this case, it is possible to define a radially extending gap having a large radial dimension below the seal cap 44 a, and thereby reduce the evaporation of the lubricating oil 45.

The seal cap 44 or 44 a may be fixed, through welding, for example, to the upper hub tubular portion 53 or 53 a. The lower thrust portion 43 and the base plate 21 may be defined by a single continuous monolithic member. In this case, a reduction in the number of components of the motor is achieved. The lower plate portion 431 and the outer tubular portion 432 may be defined by separate members. Also, the lower thrust portion 43 and the shaft portion 41 may be defined by a single continuous monolithic member.

In the groove upper portion of the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of oblique grooves may be arranged to extend obliquely along the grooves constituting the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711. Also, in the groove upper portion, each of the grooves constituting the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 may be arranged to have a greater depth than in the groove lower portion. This leads to an increased axially downward pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45. The same holds true for the groove lower portion of the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712. Also, the upper portion and the lower portion of each of the grooves that define the upper radial dynamic pressure groove array 711 may be arranged to have substantially the same length. Also, the upper portion and the lower portion of each of the grooves that constitute the lower radial dynamic pressure groove array 712 may be arranged to have substantially the same length. A variety of modifications can be made to the length, depth, width, and so on of each of the dynamic pressure grooves without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Each of the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 and the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 may be arranged in the herringbone pattern. In this case, a radially outer portion of each of upper thrust dynamic pressure grooves that define the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 is arranged to have a length greater than that of a radially inner portion thereof, and a radially outer portion of each of lower thrust dynamic pressure grooves that define the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 is arranged to have a length greater than that of a radially inner portion thereof, in order to generate a radially inward pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45. Note that a plurality of oblique grooves may be arranged between the radially outer portions of the thrust dynamic pressure grooves. The radially outer portion of each thrust dynamic pressure groove may be arranged to have a depth greater than that of the radially inner portion thereof. Although a direction in which the lubricating oil 45 circulates has not been specified in the description of any of the above-described preferred embodiments, the direction in which the lubricating oil 45 circulates may be determined to be either a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, in the case where the lower surface 421 of the upper thrust portion 42 is arranged to have a sufficient area, the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 may be arranged radially inward of the upper end opening of the communicating hole 61 as illustrated in FIG. 24. Furthermore, the upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array 721 may be arranged farther radially inward of the communicating hole 61 than in the case of FIG. 24. Similarly, in the case where the upper surface 435 of the outer tubular portion 432 is arranged to have a sufficient area, the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 may be arranged radially inward of the lower end opening of the communicating hole 61 as illustrated in FIG. 25. Furthermore, the lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array 722 may be arranged farther radially inward of the communicating hole 61 than in the case of FIG. 25. In the upper and lower thrust gaps 651 and 652, an upper thrust dynamic pressure groove array and a lower thrust dynamic pressure groove array may be arranged in the upper surface 521 and the lower surface 522, respectively, of the flange portion 52. Also, a radial dynamic pressure groove array may be arranged in the outer circumferential surface 411 of the shaft portion 41. Although the thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion is provided as a thrust bearing portion in the above-described preferred embodiment, a thrust gap that is not arranged to generate a fluid dynamic pressure may alternatively be used in place of the thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion in the case where the sleeve portion can be sufficiently supported in the thrust direction by any other portion.

In each of the above-described preferred embodiments, the upper seal gap 661 may be arranged to have a substantially uniform width. In that case, a dynamic pressure groove array is arranged in at least one of the outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42 and the inner circumferential surface 531 of the upper hub tubular portion 53 to define a so-called pumping seal. A dynamic pressure acting on the lubricating oil 45 in the direction of an interior of the upper seal gap 661 is thereby generated to retain the lubricating oil 45. The same holds true for the lower seal gap 662. Each of the upper seal portion 661 a and the lower seal portion 662 a may not necessarily be arranged to extend in parallel or substantially in parallel with the central axis J1, but may be arranged to be angled significantly with respect to the central axis J1.

Referring to FIG. 26, the cap cylindrical portion 441 of the seal cap 44 may be fixed to an inside of the upper hub tubular portion 53. In this case, an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the upper hub annular portion 591 is defined by an inner circumferential surface of the cap cylindrical portion 441, and the upper seal gap 661 is defined between the inner circumferential surface of the cap cylindrical portion 441 and the outer circumferential surface 422 of the upper thrust portion 42. The cap cylindrical portion 441 may be regarded as a portion of the upper hub tubular portion 53. It is, however, more preferable that at least the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the upper hub annular portion 591 should be defined by the inner circumferential surface of the upper hub tubular portion 53 or 53 a so that the volume of the lubricating oil 45 in the upper seal gap 661 can be checked and verified before the attachment of the seal cap 44. In the upper hub annular portion 591, the upper hub tubular portion and the seal cap may be defined by a single continuous member. Also, in the case where the likelihood of a leakage of the lubricating oil 45 is low, the seal cap 44 or 44 a may be eliminated with the upper hub annular portion being defined by only the upper hub tubular portion 53 or 53 a. Note that the shaft portion 41 and the upper thrust portion 42 illustrated in FIG. 26 are also preferably manufactured from a material shaped by, for example, a forging process. In FIG. 26, the surface of the lubricating oil 45 may be located in the radially extending gap 663 a. Also in modifications of other preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, the surface of the lubricating oil 45 may be located in the radially extending gap 663 a.

The upper end annular surface 410 may be arranged at an axial level only slightly higher than that of the outer annular surface 742. In this case, an annular inclined surface having a small width and arranged to join the upper end annular surface 410 and the outer annular surface 742 to each other may be arranged in place of the inner cylindrical surface 741, while the groove portion 743 is eliminated, for example. The upper end annular surface 410 and the outer annular surface 742 may be joined to each other through any of a variety of other annular surfaces as long as a shoulder portion is defined between the upper end annular surface 410 and the outer annular surface 742.

Features of the above-described preferred embodiments and modifications thereof may be combined as appropriate as long as no conflict arises.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are specifically applicable to motors used to drive a disk, however, the present invention is also usable in other types of motor.

Only selected preferred embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention. To those skilled in the art, however, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments according to the present invention is provided for illustration only, and not for limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A spindle motor comprising: a stationary portion including a stator; and a rotating portion including a rotor magnet, the rotating portion being rotatably supported by the stationary portion through a lubricating oil; wherein the stationary portion includes: a shaft portion centered on a central axis and arranged to extend in a vertical direction; and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion; the rotating portion includes a sleeve portion arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and a lower surface of the upper thrust portion; the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to have a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therebetween, while the lower surface of the upper thrust portion and an upper surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to together define a thrust gap therebetween; the shaft portion includes a female screw portion recessed axially downward from an upper end thereof; an upper end of the single continuous monolithic member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion includes an upper end annular surface arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis; and an outside diameter of the upper end annular surface is greater than a diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion.
 2. The spindle motor according to claim 1, wherein the upper thrust portion includes an outer annular surface and another annular surface, the outer annular surface being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis and arranged radially outward of the upper end annular surface and at a level lower than that of the upper end annular surface; and the upper end annular surface and the outer annular surface are joined to each other through the another annular surface.
 3. The spindle motor according to claim 2, wherein the another annular surface includes: an inner cylindrical surface arranged radially inward of an outer circumferential surface of the upper thrust portion, and arranged to extend in the vertical direction; and a groove portion recessed axially downward relative to the outer annular surface, and arranged between the inner cylindrical surface and the outer annular surface.
 4. The spindle motor according to claim 2, wherein the rotating portion further includes an upper hub annular portion including a tubular portion and an annular cover portion, the tubular portion being arranged to extend upward from an outer edge portion of the sleeve portion, and arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the upper thrust portion, the annular cover portion being arranged to extend radially inward from the tubular portion; the outer circumferential surface of the upper thrust portion and an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion are arranged to together define an upper seal portion therebetween, the upper seal portion including a surface of the lubricating oil located therein; the another annular surface includes an inner cylindrical surface arranged to extend axially downward from the upper end annular surface; and a radially inner edge of the annular cover portion and the inner cylindrical surface are arranged to together define an annular axially extending gap therebetween, the axially extending gap having a radial width smaller than a maximum radial width of the upper seal portion.
 5. The spindle motor according to claim 4, wherein the radially inner edge of the annular cover portion includes an inner annular projecting portion arranged to project in an axial direction.
 6. The spindle motor according to claim 2, wherein the another annular surface includes an annular groove portion recessed axially downward and arranged radially inward of the outer annular surface.
 7. The spindle motor according to claim 1, wherein the female screw portion includes: a thread defined portion including a screw thread defined therein; and a counter bore arranged above the thread defined portion, and having an inside diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the thread defined portion.
 8. The spindle motor according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion located below the upper thrust portion and the lower surface of the upper thrust portion include a depressed portion depressed upward and radially inward defined therebetween.
 9. The spindle motor according to claim 8, wherein an outer edge portion of the lower surface of the upper thrust portion includes an inclined surface arranged to be angled upward with increasing distance from the central axis.
 10. The spindle motor according to claim 1, wherein the female screw portion includes a pilot hole; and the member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion is a member manufactured from a material shaped by a forging process, the material including the pilot hole of the female screw portion.
 11. A storage disk drive comprising: the spindle motor of claim 1 arranged to rotate a disk; an access portion arranged to perform at least one of reading and writing of information from or to the disk; and a housing arranged to contain the disk, the motor, and the access portion.
 12. A spindle motor comprising: a stationary portion including a stator; and a rotating portion including a rotor magnet, the rotating portion rotatably supported by the stationary portion through a lubricating oil; wherein the stationary portion includes: a shaft portion centered on a central axis and arranged to extend in a vertical direction; and an upper thrust portion arranged to define a single continuous monolithic member together with the shaft portion, and arranged to extend radially outward from an upper portion of the shaft portion; the rotating portion includes a sleeve portion arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and a lower surface of the upper thrust portion; the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to have a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion defined therebetween, while the lower surface of the upper thrust portion and an upper surface of the sleeve portion are arranged to together define a thrust gap therebetween; the shaft portion includes a female screw portion recessed axially downward from an upper end thereof, and including a pilot hole; and the member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion is a member manufactured from a material shaped by a forging process, the material including the pilot hole of the female screw portion.
 13. The spindle motor according to claim 12, wherein an upper end of the member defined by the shaft portion and the upper thrust portion includes an upper end annular surface arranged to extend radially outward from the female screw portion perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the central axis; the upper thrust portion includes an outer annular surface and another annular surface, the outer annular surface being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the central axis and arranged radially outward of the upper end annular surface and at an axial level lower than that of the upper end annular surface; the upper end annular surface and the outer annular surface are joined to each other through the other annular surface; and an outside diameter of the upper end annular surface is greater than a diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion.
 14. The spindle motor according to claim 13, wherein the another annular surface includes an annular groove portion recessed axially downward and arranged radially inward of the outer annular surface.
 15. The spindle motor according to claim 13, wherein the rotating portion further includes an upper hub annular portion including a tubular portion and an annular cover portion, the tubular portion being arranged to extend upward from an outer edge portion of the sleeve portion, and arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the upper thrust portion, the annular cover portion being arranged to extend radially inward from the tubular portion; the outer circumferential surface of the upper thrust portion and an inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion are arranged to together define an upper seal portion therebetween, the upper seal portion having a surface of the lubricating oil located therein; the another annular surface includes an inner cylindrical surface arranged to extend axially downward from the upper end annular surface; and a radially inner edge of the annular cover portion and the inner cylindrical surface are arranged to together define an annular axially extending gap therebetween, the axially extending gap having a radial width smaller than a maximum radial width of the upper seal portion.
 16. The spindle motor according to claim 15, wherein the radially inner edge of the annular cover portion includes an inner annular projecting portion arranged to project in an axial direction.
 17. A storage disk drive comprising: the spindle motor of claim 14 arranged to rotate a disk; an access portion arranged to perform at least one of reading and writing of information from or to the disk; and a housing arranged to contain the disk, the motor, and the access portion. 